Jackson County Sheriff's deputies shave heads in support of 2-year-old battling leukemia

JACKSON, MI — Little Wyatt Jaakkola was not the only one with a bald head Friday afternoon.

Battling leukemia 2-year-old Wyatt just finished his first month of chemotherapy. He is a fighter, but the treatment cost him his hair.

It also cost several deputies at the Jackson County Sheriff's Office their hair. When Wyatt stopped by the sheriff's office to visit his father, Deputy Tom Jaakkola, he saw that his father's entire shift had adopted his hair style.

"You see all these guys? They're all missing their hair just like you," Melissa Jaakkola said to her son as the deputies posed for photos.

The deputies who work the same shift as Tom Jaakkola decided to shave their heads, or at least get a tight crew cut, to show support for Wyatt. Tom Jaakkola knew nothing of the plan until he came to work early this morning and saw all the other deputies wearing winter hats.

"All of the sudden, they start taking their hats off, and they're all bald," said Tom Jaakkola, who sported a short haircut himself. "It kind of hit me. I said, 'You guys trying to make me cry today?'"

Doctors diagnosed Wyatt on Oct. 8. He had not been feeling well, and his parents took him to the doctor's office. From there, they went to C.S. Mott Children's Hospital where treatment began immediately. Things are going in the right direction, Melissa Jaakkola said. Wyatt finished his first four-week session of chemotherapy on Thursday, and doctors say his body is responding favorably.

It has been tough on the family. Wyatt goes to Ann Arbor sometimes twice a week for treatment. His parents have shifted around work schedules to be with him. But Melissa Jaakkola said they feel the prayers of many.

"We just have really been just swallowed with the love and support of our friends and our family," Melissa Jaakkola said. "Somebody is always there with a meal or to let out the dogs or to grab one of our kids off the school bus. It's just been absolutely amazing."

At the start of Tom Jaakkola's shift Friday, the deputies gathered for a photo. that he sent to his wife. Melissa Jaakkola said she woke up with "tears of joy" after seeing the photo on her phone. Wyatt came to the sheriff's office around noon Friday and to meet his latest cheerleaders. A shy child, the deputies were able to crack a tiny smile on Wyatt's face.

"I just really appreciate the love and support that we've felt. They've all just wrapped their arms around us," Melissa Jaakkola said of her husband's colleagues.